From John Peel’s Laughter to the Top of the Charts: Restricted Code at Crail Festival
- Crail Festival
- Jan 2
- 2 min read
Updated: 15 hours ago
In 1981, they were the "Next Big Thing." Now, 44 years later, Restricted Code are finally finishing that early promise — and they are bringing that journey home to the Crail Festival.
On Tuesday, 28th July, the Crail Festival proudly presents Restricted Code at the Crail Community Hall. This highly anticipated performance is a highlight of this year’s live music in Fife, marking much more than just a gig; it is the culmination of four decades of musical evolution finally being realised at one of the premier Crail Community Hall events of the summer.
Restricted Code: From John Peel Sessions to Chasing Shadows
Before they became chart-topping veterans, Restricted Code were the darlings of the UK music press. Fronted by Crail’s own Tom Cannavan alongside guitarist Frank Quadrelli, the band was snapped up by the legendary Bob Last (the man who managed The Human League).
They weren't just playing local pubs; they were recording John Peel Sessions and headlining London’s trendiest venues, like the Embassy Club, in front of icons such as Debbie Harry, Julian Cope, and the Sex Pistols.
Frank Quadrelli recalls a legendary moment from that London show: “One song, 'First Night On', starts with just Tom’s vocals and the bass... 20 seconds into it, he lost his way a wee bit and stopped. I remember looking down and seeing John Peel roaring his head off with laughter. That relaxed everybody on stage, and we went on to do an absolutely brilliant gig.”
Pressure, Ruffles, and the Split
Despite being hailed by Sounds magazine as the "Gig of the Year," the pressure of the 1980s music industry eventually took its toll. Pushed by labels to wear ruffled shirts and chase Top 40 hits, the band "imploded" under the weight of expectation.
"People who haven’t lived that experience don’t understand the enormous amount of pressure on young people trying to make it," says Tom. “We simply didn’t cope with it.”
Restricted Code's Great Renewal
After 30 years of "proper jobs," a social media message in 2016 brought the band back together. What began as two friends simply listening to records sparked a new creative explosion.
This is no "nostalgia act" in '80s costumes. As Tom puts it: “We’re a band that’s contemporary and relevant, writing new music.” That new material, the album Chasing Shadows, proved them right by climbing to #13 in the UK Official Charts last year. Official Charts Restricted Code page.
Why You Can't Miss Restricted Code at Crail Festival
This Crail Festival appearance is a rare chance to see a band playing with the wisdom of experience and the raw energy of a debut. It’s a celebration of a friendship that survived the "blur" of the 80s and a musical talent that has only refined with time.
A Premier BYOB Live Music Event in Fife
Bring your own bottle, take a seat in the historic Community Hall, and witness the "unfulfilled potential" finally taking centre stage.
Story extracts and quotes credited to Ross Crae at The Sunday Post.